Rental Rates

About this property

Restored cottage with gardens and 12m pool. This cottage/gite is in a rural setting.

Set in the tranquil hamlet of Cabanes is an 18th century farm complex. The Old Bakery Cottage used to be a hay store and bakery and is now tastefully converted into a two bedroomed cottage, stone built with exposed beams. It has a large open plan dining area, separate lounge, a well-equipped kitchen, two spacious bedrooms and a bathroom. It is set in a large secluded garden with a south facing shaded terrace overlooking over the Gaillac countryside to the Pyrenees beyond.

The large traditional farmhouse dining table in the cottage and the dining and seating areas outside are the perfect places for relaxing or entertaining. The cottage, being stone, is cool in summer. For cooler days there is central heating and a cosy log burner. We have books, games, including table tennis, a TV, free wifi and of course a large pool.

Please note, a 30% deposit is payable to the owners by bank transfer to their UK bank account to secure your reservation and the balance is due 60 days before arrival together with a security deposit of £300, to cover breakages and damages, returnable 48 hours after vacation of the cottage.

Type

Cottage/Gite

Kitchen and dining

The kitchen is modern and open-plan. There are two fridges, a freezer, a gas hob, electric oven and microwave oven. A small utility room allows storage for food and cleaning equipment. The kitchen is fully stocked with a large amount of crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils and implements. We provide basic cleaning products free of charge and there is a washing machine in the studio next door for guest use. The kitchen opens into a large dining area with a traditional farmhouse table and chairs. In this area there is also a TV and a settee.

Living rooms

There is a separate lounge with settees, a coffee table, books and a CD/radio. The old bakery oven is still visible in this room.

Bedrooms

The master bedroom has a king size bed, hanging space and a chest of drawers. beamed ceiling. The second bedroom also has a king-size bed and a single bed with a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Both bedrooms are spacious and sit under a ceiling with exposed beams.

Bathrooms

Bath with shower, wc and bidet, basin,

Heating

There is gas central heating and a log burner

Entertainment

We have a 12m pool for exclusive use by guests. The pool is not shared with other users and is only closed for a short time each evening for cleaning and maintenance. The pool and garden are not overlooked.There is a table-tennis table in the barn. We provide bats and balls though you can bring your own.There is a selection of books and games in the cottage, including boules.Free wifi.UK satellite TV and radio.

Garden and outside

The gardens are extensive and comprise lawns, shrubs, trees, a wild flower meadow and a wooded area and small stream. The cottage patio is shaded and overlooks the garden and pool. The cottage is set in the grounds of the owner's house. The owners are close by and on hand if needed but not so near as to affect guests' privacy.

Parking and garages

Car space in a covered barn, good for keeping the car cool in the hot weather.

Visitor suitability

The property is suitable for families and couples, lovers of tranquility and nature. It does not have facilities for the disabled.

Facilities

Cleaning

Internet

No smoking

Linen

Private pool

Activities

Antiques/Brocante Market

Name of nearest antiques/brocante market: GaillacDistance: 18 km

Cycling

Golf

Name and address of nearest golf course: Golf Club AiguelezeDistance: 23 km

Horse riding

Name and address of nearest stables: Ferme Equestre Distance: 1 km

Mountain biking

Distance: 0.5 km

Signed wine route

Name of nearest signed wine route: Circuit Gaillac

Walking

Name/number of nearest marked trail: GR1

Wine tasting

About the Owner/Advertiser, Mr Graham Hutchinson

We are a couple of retired professionals who moved to France permanently after falling in love with the area and the house. We love the scenery of the Gresigne forest and the Gaillac vineyards, the medieval villages, the wildlife, the climate and the French way of life. We have run the Old Bakery Cottage as a holiday let for six years and we enjoy sharing our knowledge and enthusiasm for this uncrowded and unspoilt area with guests.

Year property purchased

2013

Why this location?

This part of the Tarn is referred to as the Golden Triangle as it sits amid medieval towns and villages, notably Cordes our Ciel, St. Antonin and Albi. The countryside is reminiscent of Tuscany, with rolling hills, vineyards and cypress trees. The walking, cycling and riding opportunities are excellent and are ample choices of historic sites, wineries and local markets to visit. The area remains tranquil even in high summer. If you dislike mass-tourism but enjoy peace and quiet, maybe watching wildlife and birds or star-gazing a night sky unpolluted by light, then this is the place. Or you can enjoy many local village festivals or open air vineyard concerts.

Unique benefits of property

Although the property is just a two bedroom cottage, it is spacious and cool in summer. It is located in private grounds which comprise a well-kept extensive garden, laid to lawn, shrubs and wild flowers. The views from the shaded terrace over the countryside are uninterrupted and the large 12m pool is exclusively for your use. There is shaded parking in the barn for your car and secure bike storage. Liz and Graham, the owners live in the house next door and will respect your privacy whilst being on hand to give help and advice should you need it.

The Owner Recommends

Albi

The capital of the Tarn department is a very beautiful city with much to offer. Red brick and half-timbered buildings huddle on either side of the Tarn river, dominated by the immense cathedral. Small streets, packed with independent shops and cafes open on to intimate squares. The city is home to the world famous Toulouse Lautrec Museum which has the largest single collection of the artist's work in the world. There is also a famous covered market, a brocante market and a delightful fashion museum. Albi also hosts the open-air Pause Guitar festival (past acts included Joan Baez, Elton John and Santana) and a tango festival. A state of the art concert hall and theatre and a range of restaurants make this city a must.

Saint Antonin

The Sunday morning market here is rightly famous. Wander the cobbled streets, admire the timber framed medieval buildings, some seeming to totter at impossible angles, take a coffee in the square and sample the local charcuteries. For the more energetic there are several locations for kayaking the Aveyron River, walking, climbing and mountain biking.

Vineyards

This area is home to Gaillac wine. Rarely located in the UK but well-known to the French, it used to be sold under the Bordeaux label but is now a wine in its own right. Most of the local vineyards offer tastings, some offer tours. In the summer a number of them host live music concerts under the stars. We can make recommendations and book for you if necessary.

Gaillac

Gaillac is the centre of this wine region. The Maison des Vins offers a selection of wine tastings. In summer apero concerts are staged on the banks of the Tarn. The town itself is an unpretentious but charming market town with a number of good restaurants. We particularly love La Table du Sommelier, tucked away in a little square in which a fountain plays. Gaillac also offers two large supermarkets, a traditional market on Fridays and a brocante market on Sundays.

3 Reviews

10/10

Cleanliness: 10

Comfort: 10

Condition: 10

Facilities: 10

Local Amenities: 10

Setting: 10

Value for Money: 10

10 / 10JamesLKay2 July, 2018

We had a fabulous time at this marvellous rural retreat. The facilities were exactly as described and provided us with everything that we needed. We particularly enjoyed an extremely comfortable bed the well-equipped kitchen and the marvellous pool.

The weather was fantastic for us which allowed us to enjoy a tremendous sense of peace and tranquility in this miles is from anywhere location. The nearest substantial villages are about 20k away but each of them was well worth a visit. We had some days just lounging by the pool and and others really enjoyed visiting local villages and the larger towns of Albi and Gaillac - having just one longer driving day down to Carcasson.The support from Liz and Graham to identify the best places to visit was much appreciated.

We are definitely considering returning to this great venue in years to come.

Owner response

Thank you for your kind words. So glad you enjoyed the cottage, garden and the pool and made the most of your two weeks here. Hope to see you again. L and G

10 / 10Louise- Chelmsford, Essex8 September, 2017

We have recently returned from the most wonderful 2 weeks holiday staying at The Old Bakery. The lead up to the holiday was excellent with the owners Liz & Graham able to provide information regarding the booking & local advice on pre booking activities (kayaking) & food shopping, before we'd arrived.
On arrival the cottage lived up to expectations and excelled in terms of space & location which the pictures really do not do it justice!
The setting is perfect within beautiful large gardens and far enough away from the owners property to allow you privacy but still nearby in case you need anything.
The Pool was outstanding and having 2 older children who love the water this couldn't have been better.
The area itself is beautiful and whilst you definitely need a car (the cottage location is rural) it is worth this to explore the fabulous towns/villages nearby including Albi, Penne, St Antonin, Gaillac & Cordes. A visit to St Antonin Market & castle ruins at Penne is a must!
We would recommend this accommodation as a fantastic base for exploring the midi-Pyrenees and would love to return.
Thank you once again Graham & Liz

Owner response

Thank you for your kind comments. It was a pleasure to have you stay. We hope you will come again. G&L

10 / 10SusanFletcher19 September, 2016

What an absolutely wonderful place to stay if you want that out of the way holiday.. Graham and Liz were great hosts, around when you needed them but most of the time we hardly saw them. The cottage is so cosy but cool when it got too hot to stay outside. The pool is fabulous and it was heaven to just sit and read by the pool in the peace and quiet. Graham and Liz were able to give us pointers on the best places to visit and the market at St Antonin was a must visit. Do not miss Grahams fabulous Bread Rolls they are delicious. Also I need to get the recipe from Liz for the fabulous Vegetarian Curry she made us for our first night. We absolutely loved this holiday and will definitely be returning. You do need a car as it really is very rural, to be honest we hardly moved for 2 weeks it was so idyllic but if you like to get out and about you must get a car. The cottage was beautifully clean and there was nothing we needed, home from home with all the facilities and equipment you could possibly wish for. Breakfasting outside on the terrace with the spectacular views is a special memory. I can highly recommend this cottage.

Owner response

Thank you so much for your kind comments. We are pleased you enjoyed your stay and it was a pleasure to have you both here. We look forward to your return and welcoming you back.